CCSO, Community Partners Make Mother’s Wish Come True

The holiday season is about more than packages and pretty bows. It’s a time to cherish what we have and help those in need.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office and its community partners embodied this spirit to help a struggling East Naples family have a happy holiday.

The CCSO learned of a woman who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and is the single mother of five children ranging in age from 6 to 18. Her greatest wish is for her children to have a merry Christmas.

Through the diligence of East Naples deputies and the generous contributions of Wal-Mart, 6650 Collier Boulevard; and Lowe’s, 12730 Tamiami Trail E., her children came home to a surprise Friday afternoon. While the kids were at school Friday morning, deputies, Wal-Mart Manger Bob Galloway, Lowe’s Manager Cecil Riner and Lowe’s staff members set up and decorated a donated Christmas tree and placed gifts underneath it.

The tree and its decorations were donated by Lowe’s. Wal-Mart, with the assistance of the Marco Island-based Joy of Giving organization, covered the expense of the gifts on the children’s wish lists. Lowe’s also assisted by setting up a basketball hoop for the family’s driveway.

“We have a great relationship with and love giving back to the East Naples community,” said Riner.

The CCSO would like to give special thanks to Wal-Mart, Lowe’s and the Joy of Giving for making this mother’s Christmas wish a reality.